Farrukh Saleem

FBR shines, but trillion-rupee losses bleed Pakistan dry
- By Farrukh Saleem
- July 15, 2025
Is the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Pakistan’s best-performing government institution? Consider this: Islamabad is home to over three dozen federal ministries, four dozen divisions,…

Out of the Inferno: Any Lesson Learned?
- By Farrukh Saleem
- May 1, 2024
May 2023, a mere eleven months in the past, must not be forgotten. That is the month when the price of wheat flour, a…

Optimism on the Horizon Stock Market Reaches Historic Highs, International Bonds Rallying
- By Farrukh Saleem
- April 3, 2024
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) had a banner week! The benchmark KSE-100 Index, which tracks the biggest companies in the country, reached a record…

Federal Fiscal Famine: NFC is Unsustainable
- By Farrukh Saleem
- March 27, 2024
In the Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, the estimated Tax Revenue (FBR) allocated to the Federal Consolidated Fund stands at Rs9,415 billion. Notably, on…

A message for SIFC: Open Pakistan for Business
- By Farrukh Saleem
- March 20, 2024
Pakistan must reduce regulatory burden and streamline processes. Cut down on paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles for starting a business. Utilize online platforms and one-stop shops…

The Tightrope Walk of Pakistan’s New Finance Minister Is Pakistan Open for Business?
- By Farrukh Saleem
- March 13, 2024
Pakistan’s new Finance Minister will not be stepping into an economic wonderland. The new Finance Minister is inheriting a dragon – a fire-breathing one. Years…

New Finance Minister Will Need a New Vision
- By Farrukh Saleem
- March 6, 2024
Is the PML-N’s established economic approach still viable in 2024? The PML-N’s established economic model centered on infrastructure development and exchange rate management. Over…

A New Era for Pakistan: Can the PML-N & PPP Coalition Deliver Durable Democracy?
- By Farrukh Saleem
- February 29, 2024
The formation of a PML-N and PPP coalition government marks a turning point in Pakistan’s political landscape. Following months of political turbulence and multi-billion dollar…

Political Impasse Could Trigger Ratings Downgrade
- By Farrukh Saleem
- February 21, 2024
According to Moody’s Investors Service, one of the big three crediting rating agencies, the political uncertainty in Pakistan following the elections, where no political party…

Challenges Await: The top-five issues the new government must tackle
- By Farrukh Saleem
- February 14, 2024
Ballots tallied, the people of Pakistan have voiced their choice. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a surge of support for PTI-backed candidates swept across the entire 101,741…